FAQs

FAQs

Common landlord questions asked about rental property in Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire

Switching agents

3 questions
Can I change letting agents while a tenant is in the property?

Absolutely. Switching agents doesn't usually affect your tenants or require a new tenancy agreement. We handle the transition for you, including liaising with your current agent, notifying your tenants, and transferring deposits and compliance documents.

We'll also help you navigate any notice period or contractual requirements in your agreement with your existing agent, making the process as smooth as possible.

Will I have to pay cancellation fees to my current agent?

This depends on your contract. Many agents require a one to three month notice period or a termination fee. We can help you review your current agreement to map out the most cost-effective time to switch.

How long does the handover process take?

Every handover is different. The overall timescale is largely determined by the notice period in your agreement with your current letting agent.

Once that process begins, we coordinate directly with your outgoing agent to transfer deposits, tenancy documents, compliance records and all relevant property information, making the switch as straightforward and stress-free as possible.

Self-managing & remote landlords

9 questions
I currently self-manage. Why should I use your agency?

Many landlords start by self-managing, but as legislation becomes more complex and their time becomes more valuable, it often makes sense to hand management over to a professional.

We take care of tenant communication, maintenance, compliance, inspections, rent collection and day-to-day issues, helping you reduce risk, save time and protect the long-term value of your investment. You stay in control of the important decisions while we handle everything else.

How do you vet tenants for my property?

Finding the right tenant is one of the most important parts of protecting your investment. Before arranging viewings, we pre-screen prospective tenants to assess their suitability for your property and ensure they meet the basic requirements.

Applicants who wish to proceed then undergo a comprehensive referencing process carried out by an independent specialist provider. This includes identity verification, Right to Rent checks, affordability and credit assessments, employment verification, previous landlord references where appropriate, and advanced document verification to help identify fraudulent or altered documents.

Once the checks are complete, we'll review the results, discuss any areas of concern and provide our professional recommendation.

Can you take over from a self-managing landlord mid-tenancy?

Yes. We can take over the management of your property at any stage during an existing tenancy, making the transition as smooth and straightforward as possible for both you and your tenant.

We'll guide you through the process, arrange the transfer of all relevant tenancy documentation, deposits, keys and property records, notify your tenants of the change, and ensure the handover is completed compliantly. Our aim is to take the pressure off you while providing continuity for your tenants.

What's the difference between tenant find and full property management?

Our tenant find service is ideal if you're happy to manage your property yourself but would like us to find and secure the right tenant. We'll market your property, conduct viewings, professionally reference applicants, prepare the tenancy agreement and ensure everything is in place for a smooth start to the tenancy.

Our full property management service includes everything in our tenant find service, together with the ongoing day-to-day management of your property. We'll collect rent, carry out regular inspections, coordinate maintenance and repairs, keep track of key compliance requirements, communicate with your tenants and deal with the day-to-day issues that come with being a landlord.

If you're unsure which option is right for you, we're always happy to discuss your circumstances and recommend the most suitable service.

Do you help self-managing landlords become compliant with new laws?

Absolutely. Keeping up with changing legislation can be one of the biggest challenges for self-managing landlords. We'll carry out a comprehensive review of your property's current compliance, identify any gaps, explain your legal responsibilities in plain English, and provide a clear action plan to help you meet both current and upcoming legal requirements.

Whether you choose to continue self-managing or ask us to take over the day-to-day management, we'll ensure you know exactly where you stand.

Can you manage my rental property if I don't live near Nottingham or Leicester?

Absolutely. Many of our landlords live outside the local area, so we're experienced in managing properties on their behalf.

Acting as your trusted local representative, we'll handle everything from viewings and tenant communication to inspections, maintenance coordination and emergencies, keeping you informed every step of the way. You can enjoy the benefits of owning a property in Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire without needing to be there yourself.

How will you keep me updated if I'm a remote landlord?

Clear, proactive communication is one of the cornerstones of our service. We'll keep you informed about everything that matters, from tenant updates and inspections to maintenance issues and compliance requirements, so you always know what's happening with your property.

To make communication as easy as possible, we create a dedicated WhatsApp group for each landlord, including the relevant members of our team. This gives you a quick and convenient way to ask questions, receive updates and discuss any issues without the need for lengthy email chains, while ensuring everyone involved stays informed.

Who do I contact as a remote landlord in an emergency?

If an emergency arises, you don't need to worry about finding contractors or coordinating repairs from a distance, we'll take care of it. We have a trusted network of local contractors who can respond quickly to urgent issues, helping to protect both your property and your tenants.

We'll keep you informed throughout the situation and contact you as soon as possible with an update. For emergencies that require immediate action to prevent injury or further damage, we'll arrange for the property to be made safe before discussing any follow-on repairs with you.

Can you authorise repairs without asking me every time?

Yes. If you wish, you can give us written authority to approve repairs up to an agreed spending limit. This allows us to deal with routine maintenance promptly, reducing delays for your tenants and helping to prevent minor issues from developing into more costly repairs.

We'll only use this authority within the agreed limit and will keep you fully informed throughout. For works above that limit, or anything outside your agreed authority, we'll obtain your approval before instructing any repairs, unless immediate action is required to protect your property or ensure your tenants' safety.

Portfolio landlords & HMOs

6 questions
How do you manage HMOs differently to single lets?

HMOs require a much more proactive approach than single-let properties. As well as managing each tenancy individually, we oversee the day-to-day running of the property, coordinate cleaners and gardeners, arrange routine fire safety testing, and help ensure your property continues to meet its ongoing compliance obligations.

When rooms become vacant, we market them promptly to minimise void periods and keep your rental income on track. We also carry out regular property inspections, with additional visits available if you'd like even greater oversight. If your HMO licence is due for renewal or you need support with council requirements, we're happy to manage this for you as an additional service.

In short, we don't just manage tenancies, we help keep your HMO running smoothly, compliant and profitable.

Can you manage properties across Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire?

Yes. We manage properties across Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire, making it easy for landlords with portfolios spanning multiple locations to work with a single, trusted letting agent.

You'll have one dedicated point of contact, consistent management across your portfolio, and the reassurance that every property receives the same high standard of service.

Do you manage landlord portfolios?

Yes. We manage portfolios of all sizes across Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire, including both single-let properties and HMOs.

Whether you own two properties or twenty, you'll benefit from one trusted point of contact, consistent management across your portfolio, clear communication and a proactive approach to protecting your investments.

Do you offer tailored pricing for portfolio landlords?

Yes. We recognise that managing a portfolio is different from managing a single property, so we build a tailored partnership around it rather than applying a standard rate.

Pricing is based on factors such as the number of properties, the level of service you require and whether your portfolio includes single lets, HMOs or a combination of both. We'll always provide a clear, transparent quotation with all fees explained upfront.

Bespoke pricing is available for portfolios of five or more single lets, or three or more HMOs, within our management area.

How do I see performance across my whole property portfolio?

We make it easy to stay on top of your portfolio, whether you own two properties or twenty. You'll receive regular statements and have access to your landlord portal, where you can view key information relating to your properties, including rental payments, maintenance, inspections and important tenancy documents.

We'll also keep you informed of anything that requires your attention, so you always know how your portfolio is performing without having to chase for updates.

Can you standardise compliance across multiple rental properties?

Yes. Managing compliance across multiple rental properties can quickly become time-consuming, particularly as legal requirements continue to evolve. We monitor key compliance deadlines across your portfolio, including EPCs, gas safety certificates, electrical safety inspections (EICRs), smoke and carbon monoxide alarm requirements, and HMO licensing where applicable.

We'll let you know when action is needed, coordinate inspections and renewals where instructed, and help ensure nothing is overlooked, giving you confidence that your portfolio remains compliant and well managed.

Property management

5 questions
How often do you inspect my property?

As standard, we carry out comprehensive property inspections every six months. Following each inspection, you'll receive a detailed report with photographs, an update on the condition of your property, and details of any maintenance issues or recommendations.

Our inspections help identify potential problems early, protecting both your property and your investment.

How are maintenance issues and emergencies handled?

Tenants report maintenance issues through our online property management system, where they're asked to provide a detailed description of the problem along with photographs and, where helpful, videos. This allows us to assess the issue quickly and ensure our contractors have as much information as possible before attending.

For non-emergency repairs, we'll obtain quotations from our trusted contractors and provide you with an estimate of the likely costs before any work is instructed. We won't proceed with non-urgent repairs without your approval unless you've given us prior authority to do so.

Thanks to our extensive background in residential construction and property maintenance, we have a strong understanding of what repair works should typically cost. This enables us to review quotations carefully, challenge costs where appropriate, and help ensure you receive fair value for money.

If an emergency arises that could put your tenants at risk or cause further damage to your property, we'll act promptly to make the situation safe and minimise any additional loss. We'll keep you informed throughout the process and update you as soon as possible.

What types of landlords do you work with?

We work with landlords at every stage of their property journey. Whether you're letting your first property, growing a portfolio, managing an HMO, living outside the local area, or looking to move from another letting agent, we can provide a service tailored to your needs.

Our clients include first-time landlords, experienced portfolio investors, self-managing landlords looking to save time, remote landlords who need someone they can trust on the ground, and landlords who want a more proactive, personal service than they're currently receiving.

Are you a regulated letting agent with client money protection?

Yes. We are a fully compliant, regulated letting agent and are committed to maintaining the highest professional standards. We hold Client Money Protection through Client Money Protect (CMP), are members of the Property Redress Scheme (PRS), and protect tenancy deposits through the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) in accordance with current legislation.

This means your money is protected, your tenancy deposits are handled securely, and your property is managed by an agency that meets recognised industry standards. Our certificates can be found on our documents page.

How much does it cost to use a letting agent?

Our fees are tailored to the level of service you require and the type of property you own, so we don't believe in a one-size-fits-all pricing model. Whether you need tenant find services, full property management or support with an HMO, we'll provide a clear, written quotation with all fees explained upfront. That means no hidden charges, no unexpected extras and complete transparency from the very beginning.

Every fee we charge is published on our landlord package fees page. Not sure which service is right for you? Get in touch to arrange a no-obligation conversation.

Tenant finding & marketing

2 questions
How do you market my rental property?

Our priority is to minimise your void period by marketing your property quickly and effectively. As soon as notice is received from your tenant, we take action to advertise your property within 24 hours, helping us secure interest as early as possible.

For single-let properties, we create a professional property listing with high-quality photographs, a video tour and a detailed description before advertising on Rightmove, Zoopla and our social media channels.

For HMOs, we tailor our marketing to the way prospective tenants search for rooms, advertising on SpareRoom and social media with high quality photographs and video content to maximise enquiries.

Every property is marketed to showcase its best features and attract the right tenants as quickly as possible, helping to reduce costly void periods.

What happens if a tenant doesn't pay rent or damages the property?

Thankfully, serious rent arrears are uncommon thanks to careful tenant selection and proactive tenancy management. However, if a tenant does fall behind with their rent, it's important that action is taken quickly.

We don't wait weeks before responding. As soon as a rent payment is missed, we begin our rent arrears procedure, contacting the tenant promptly to establish the reason for the missed payment and work towards an early resolution.

If the arrears aren't resolved, we follow a structured escalation process, keeping you informed throughout. This may include formal written notices, contacting any guarantor, agreeing a repayment plan where appropriate and, if necessary, progressing to legal action in accordance with current legislation.

Our aim is always to resolve the issue as quickly as possible while protecting your rental income, maintaining clear communication and ensuring the correct legal process is followed at every stage.

Rent, fees & money handling

3 questions
How and when will I receive my rent as a landlord?

Rent is collected monthly and paid to you shortly after receipt each month, with detailed statements showing rent received, management fees, maintenance costs and any other expenses.

Are my client funds protected?

Yes. We take the protection of your money extremely seriously. Landlord and tenant funds are held in a dedicated client account, separate from our own business finances, and we're members of Client Money Protect (CMP), giving you the reassurance that your funds are protected in accordance with the scheme's rules.

We're also members of the Property Redress Scheme (PRS) and protect tenancy deposits through the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS), ensuring your property is managed in line with recognised industry standards.

Do you charge extra for coordinating maintenance and repairs?

We're committed to being completely transparent about our fees. Any charges for coordinating maintenance or refurbishment work will be clearly explained in your Terms of Business before you instruct us, there are no hidden fees or unexpected mark-ups.

We'll always explain how contractor invoices are handled, obtain your approval before non-emergency works are instructed (unless you've given us spending authority), and keep you informed throughout the process.

Compliance, safety & legislation

3 questions
How do you keep me compliant with landlord law in the UK?

Keeping up with landlord legislation can be time-consuming, especially as the rules continue to evolve. That's where we help.

We monitor your property's compliance requirements, remind you when action is needed and take care of the administration on your behalf wherever possible. From arranging safety certificates and inspections to ensuring the correct legal documentation is in place, we help take the legwork out of staying compliant.

While the legal responsibility for compliance always remains with the landlord, our role is to guide you through your obligations, explain any changes in plain English and help ensure nothing important is overlooked.

What safety certificates do I need as a landlord?

The exact requirements depend on your property, but most landlords will need a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), Gas Safety Certificate (where gas is installed), an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), and working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. HMOs may also require a licence and additional fire safety measures.

We'll explain exactly what your property requires, help arrange the necessary inspections and certificates, and remind you when renewals are due, so you can be confident your property remains compliant without having to keep track of every deadline yourself.

How do you manage compliance renewals and property inspections?

We take a proactive approach to property compliance, so you don't have to keep track of every inspection and renewal yourself. We monitor key compliance dates, arrange periodic property inspections and remind you when certificates or other legal requirements are due.

Where renewals or remedial works are needed, we'll help coordinate everything for you, keeping you informed throughout the process and helping ensure your property remains safe, compliant and well maintained.

Maintenance & repairs

3 questions
Do you have your own tradespeople?

We work with a trusted network of carefully selected contractors across Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire. Each has been chosen for their reliability, quality of workmanship and value for money, allowing us to match the right contractor to the job.

Where repairs are required, we'll help obtain quotations, review them for suitability and coordinate the work on your behalf, keeping you informed throughout the process. Our aim is to ensure repairs are completed efficiently, to a high standard and at a fair price.

What are your typical response times for repairs?

We understand that prompt repairs are important for protecting your property and keeping your tenants happy. Every maintenance issue is assessed as soon as it's reported and prioritised according to its urgency.

Emergency issues are normally made safe within 24 hours of notification. Urgent repairs are, where possible, dealt with within 3 working days, while non-urgent repairs are completed as soon as reasonably practicable and, in any event, within 14 days.

Although response times can occasionally be affected by contractor availability or the nature of the repair, we'll always keep you informed, provide updates throughout the process and work to resolve issues as quickly as possible.

Can I use my own contractors instead of yours?

Absolutely. It's your property, so the choice of contractor is always yours. If you'd prefer to use someone you already know and trust, we're happy to work with them.

To protect both you and your tenants, we'll simply need to ensure they're appropriately qualified, fully insured and able to carry out the work in accordance with current regulations. We'll coordinate access where required and keep everything running smoothly throughout the process.